Understanding Gemini API Billing: What Happens When You Upgrade?

As a developer, I’m exploring the possibility of activating billing for the Gemini API, particularly since access to the professional models will no longer be available with the free tier. This has led me to consider how the billing structure works.

Key Questions I Have

I’d like to clarify whether enabling the paid tier allows for any free usage allowances. Specifically, does the paid tier mean that I still have access to free usage within the limits of the free tier, or does activating billing transform all usage into paid usage, regardless of whether it falls within free tier limits?

Understanding these nuances will significantly impact how I approach using the Gemini API moving forward. If you have insights or experiences to share regarding the billing structure, I’d love to hear them!